4. Four
Four
I wake up alone, which isn’t surprising. Dana likes to have her fun and then leave as soon as possible. It doesn’t bother me. I prefer mornings to myself. Normally I sit on my balcony with a cup of coffee, watching the city come alive. Since staying with my parents, I haven’t had the chance to have a morning to myself, not with so many siblings loitering around. I swear none of them, except Lucas, understands the need for peace and quiet.
Thankfully, my apartment above Insomnia is kept fully stocked and cleaned. I never know when I will need to use the place. Not that I stay here regularly. Like I said, it’s been months since I last visited.
Stretching reminds me of all the acrobatic sex I had last night. Dana put me through my paces. My legs ache as much as my pussy. Hell, everything aches.
I make my way over to the kitchen on wobbly legs. The penthouse is an open concept. Everything in the kitchen is top of the line. It came that way when I bought the building. I like new things but the sterile chrome and white isn’t my style, I just haven’t bothered to decorate it to my taste. What’s the point when it’s more like a hotel room than a home?
Once my coffee is brewed, I head to the balcony. I don’t bother with clothes; I’m too far up and frankly, I don’t care who sees me. The morning sun is already hot, showing another glorious day.
Sipping my coffee, I recall yesterday. I replay the conversations with my family over and over. Maybe they are right, and I haven’t been putting in the effort to find my mate. I always believed my mate would find me if I’m honest. I romanticized everything, and when I realized that wasn’t how my story was being written, I…what? Gave up? Have I given up?
The result of not being mated isn’t lost on me. I know my family believe I’m being too laid back but in reality I’m terrified. No vampire wants to end up unmated. My thoughts wander to last night and to Erin. Her mystery scent is still puzzling to me. The way I could track her movements also causes distress, but I’m not sure why.
Insomnia will open at nine this evening. There is a cocktail hour before the DJ arrives. I wonder if Erin will be working again. Maybe I should introduce myself? I’m secretly looking forward to seeing her face when she realizes who I am.
That still leaves me with the rest of the day. I should head back to my parents, but I’m enjoying the solitude. I’ll stay here for a little longer. It would actually be a good idea to go over some work things while I’m here. Claire takes care of everything, but she knows I like to be kept in the loop.
After a satisfying shower, I can walk properly again. Dana really went at it last night. I take the stairs back down to the club and make my way to the office. The silence is inviting. When I first bought the place, I often wandered around the rooms when it was closed. I would make myself a drink and lounge around, taking it all in. Maybe I’ll have myself a drink by the bar after I have gone through the finances.
As usual, Claire has left the office immaculate. She is organized and efficient. I never have any problem finding what I need.
As I thought, the profit margins are excellent. I couldn’t ask for better. Maybe I could look into opening another club. A sister club to Insomnia. New York maybe?
Time has passed quicker than I thought, and I have to get back to my parents. My mother will throw a fit if I just disappear on them. The drive back takes less than fifteen minutes. Like yesterday, the house is full of people and noise. Before I endure the onslaught of questions, I run to my room and change into a bikini. I may as well lounge by the pool for a few hours.
“There you are!” my mother shouts when I stroll over to her lounger.
“Here I am,” I reply.
“I thought you would have been home hours ago.”
I suppress my eye-roll. I haven’t called my parents’ house home for years. “I stayed at the club to get some work done.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to take a few days off, Amelia. Maybe that’s why you haven’t found your mate.”
“Yes, paperwork is the reason,” I mutter. “You know, it’s not my fault, right?”
“What do you mean?” Mother raises her sunglasses to her head, her eyes lock on to me. I don’t know where my emotions are coming from, but I’m suddenly pissed that my family is constantly making me feel like it’s my fault I haven’t found a match. Like I warrant the future that lies ahead of me.
“I’ve looked, Mother, I’ve been out. I know you all think I sit around doing fuck all in my library and sometimes, on an evening, that’s exactly what I do. But not all the time. It’s not my fault I haven’t found her, so will you all stop making me feel like a fucking failure! I get it. I’m the disappointment and I’m sorry that one of you will have to put me down, but it’s not my doing.” My voice has risen and I’m panting. I can feel the blood rushing through my ears. Where this sudden outburst has come from, I don’t know. What I do know is that I need to leave.
Turning on my heel, I run back inside, ignoring a blur of shocked faces as I go. Sprinting upstairs, I change into my leathers and run to my bike. Nothing and no one is going to stop me. Turning the throttle, I wheel spin out of my parents’ garage.
My mind is racing. Is the madness already starting? I’m the calm daughter, the rational, reasonable one. Not the child that acts in anger or with vats of emotion. Is this it? Am I seeing what will happen to me? Will I decline from now on?
I kick up my speed, tearing through the streets until I hit the 101. I don’t give a shit about the speed limit now. I’m determined to outrun my spiraling mental state.
I couldn’t tell you how many hours pass. Eventually, though, my mind and my speed reduce to a safe level. The sun is setting, and I know I have to go back.
As I pull into the garage, I see my mother leaning against her Yamaha. We remain silent as I park the bike next to hers. Taking my helmet off, I struggle to look in her eyes. “Where did you go?” she eventually asks .
“Nowhere in particular,” I answer. We grow silent again. I take a chance and look up. Her eyes are soft and understanding. They are also marred with fear.
“My darling, I… we never meant to make you feel you were failing us. Your father and I never want you to think that. Do you understand?”
I nod but find it impossible to answer with words. My throat feels raw.
“We’re just scared, honey. I’m sorry that has come across as blame-shifting. We just love you so much and the thought…” Her voice cracks and I move to take her into my arms. The reality of the situation is that the Loch family is scared. Holding her tight, I let my tears fall. I might be a realist, but I’m still a person. A vampire that doesn’t want my life to end in one year. That doesn’t want to put my loved ones through that kind of pain.
We hold each other until our tears have dried. Taking my hand, Mother guides me back into the house. The dining table is set, and all my siblings are sitting waiting, along with my father. “I’m sorry honey,” he whispers as he hugs me.
“We don’t blame you,” Laurence adds. “We’re just scared.”
“I know. I’m sorry for getting so worked up. I don’t know what that was.”
“It was natural, sis,” Lucas says. “I don’t think any of us realized how much pressure we were putting on you.”
“I’m still setting you up,” Lucille calls from the far end of the table. I roll my eyes, but for once I don’t feel she is being antagonistic.
“We’re here for you, Amelia,” Marcus whispers in my ear as I sit next to him. I squeeze his hand in a silent thanks .
The chatter breaks off into individual conversations, which makes me feel better. I’d prefer a mundane chit chat rather than another round of “woe is me, I’m going to die soon” type of conversation.
“Hey, did you tell that new bartender who you were?” Aliah asks, amused. The table grows quiet, and I can see the questions on their faces. I laugh and recount what happened with Erin.
“Oh my, she sounds feisty,” my mother laughs. That’s one way to describe Erin. She’s definitely feisty.
“I’m going to stop by this evening and introduce myself,” I say. It’s on the tip of my tongue to mention that strange scent I got from her, but something makes me hold back. Maybe I’d drunk too much, and it distorted my senses. I’ll find out this evening.
It’s almost nine by the time I excuse myself from the table. This evening’s attire is a black cocktail dress. It’s not too fancy but makes me feel sexy. I pair it with three-inch heels and some simple eye make-up. My hair is in a high ponytail, and I know I look damn good.
Insomnia is relatively busy by the time I arrive. It’s still very early for a club, but I’m happy to see there is a decent crowd at the bar. Deciding I want a few minutes to observe Erin, I lower myself onto a bar stool at the far end. I have a clear line of sight and I like what I see.
Erin is still as graceful as she was last night. However, tonight she is less fire and brimstone and more earthly paradise. She’s laughing with Kit, our other bartender. Kit has been in my employ for seven years, at least.
They work together well. My eyes wander over the crowd at the bar, and, to no surprise, Erin has more than a few admirers. One guy in particular seems taken with her. He’s handsome if you’re into that kind of thing. I wonder if Erin is. So far, she has remained completely professional with him. He has tried to buy her a drink three times in the few minutes I have been sitting watching. Each time she blows him off without being rude. She has more patience than I do.
Claire enters the bar from the office, and I slink farther back into the shadows. I don’t want to be spotted just yet. Claire, Erin and Kit share a laugh about something. There is a great working dynamic between them all.
Mr. Pushy leans over and touches Erin’s arm. Her eyes flash with anger. It’s the first sign of that feisty woman I met last night shining through, and I like it. She takes a step back, regards him, and then leans forward, whispering something in his ear. Mr. Pushy pales and sits back, scratches his neck and then promptly leaves. I want more than anything to know what Erin said to him.
Claire approaches her, and they speak for a second. Now they are laughing again. A spike of something shoots through my chest. It’s a feeling I’m unfamiliar with and that makes me feel uneasy.
I square my shoulders and shuffle over slightly so that I’m in the light. It’s time to find out about Erin.